UNH filmmaker appointed to Obama’s Disability Committee

Thursday

Jul 17, 2014 at 3:15 AM

DURHAM — President Barack Obama has announced his intent to appoint Dan Habib, project director and filmmaker at the University of New Hampshire’s Institute on Disability (IOD), to the President’s Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities, the White House has announced.

Habib, the project director of the Inclusive Communities Project at the IOD, directed the award-winning film “Including Samuel,” a documentary about his family’s efforts to include his son Samuel, who has cerebral palsy, in all facets of their lives. Habib’s latest film, “Who Cares About Kelsey?” documents the life of a Somersworth High School student with emotional and behavioral challenges and the innovative educational approaches that help her succeed.

“The president’s appointment of Dan to this important committee is testament to Dan’s unwavering commitment to issues related to disability and the national impact of his work,” said IOD director Charles Drum. “His passion and talents will undoubtedly be significant contributions to the committee.”

Established by President Johnson in 1966, the President’s Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities (PCPID) aims to ensure the right of a “decent, dignified place in society” for people with intellectual disabilities. The PCPID promotes policies and initiatives that support independence and lifelong inclusion of people with intellectual disabilities in their respective communities.

The committee’s duties include advising the president and secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services concerning many aspects of the lives of people with intellectual disabilities. This includes expanding educational opportunities, promoting homeownership, assuring workplace integration, improving transportation options, expanding access to community living, and increasing access to assistive and universally designed technologies.

“I am confident that these outstanding men and women will serve the American people well in their new roles and I look forward to working with them in the months and years to come,” said President Obama of Habib and the eight other committee appointees he announced in a White House Press Release.

Habib, a former photography editor of the Concord Monitor, received the Champion of Human and Civil Rights Award from the NEA (National Education Association) New Hampshire in 2012 and the Justice for All Grassroots Award from the American Association of People with Disabilities in 2013. He lives in Concord.

Habib, who stated he could not comment until he is sworn in late August, did reveal a new project he is working on.

“Most of my work now is on the SWIFT (Schoolwide Integrated Framework for Transformation) Project,” he said. SWIFT is a K-8 center that provides both academic and behavioral support to promote the learning and academic achievement of all students.

“It’s the largest federal education grant ever awarded. It went to the University of Kansas, but I’m the filmmaker. I’ve traveled to five schools around the county, and I’m producing short films that show what inclusive education looks like around the country.”

Before he begins his stint on the Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities he will be traveling with Kelsey, from his most recent documentary, to Washington, D.C. to reveal the film to the National Association of Social Workers.